G.L.Arts: Vocabulary, Spelling, Skills Tutor

Here are the vocabulary words for "The Story of an Eyewitness" by Jack London:

1. conflagration: a large destructive fire 
2. lurid: very vivid in color, creating an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect. 
3. contrivances: acts or objects of clever planning 
4. flanked: placed at or approaching from the side of 
5. enumeration: the act of counting or listing one by one 
6. vestiges: visible signs of something that once existed 
7. bayonets: blades that fit on the end of rifle for use in close combat 
8. flotsam: floating wreckage left by a sunken ship 
9. pall: a covering that darkens or obscures what is underneath 
10. dun: dull brownish gray 

*Create a Google Document entitled: "Vocabulary - [your name]"

**Share your Doc with me as "can edit" or "can comment"

***For each word, complete the following:

• Synonyms 
• Antonyms 
• Part of speech (verb, noun, adjective, adverb) 
• Other related forms of the word (form: formed, forming, forms, formulate, formative, formal, formally, etc.) 
• An interesting quote using the word (search for "[vocab word] quotes" or go to the goodreads or brainyquote websites and search the vocab word. 
• An original sentence that uses the word in a way that shows you know what it means and how to use it correctly. 

For the rest of class you may study and quiz each other for the Spelling Bee Test (on Thursday) or continue on SKILLS TUTOR (remember your user name and password are your Student ID # and the site is hms03).

VIRTUAL TOUR of Our Water Supply

Where does our drinking water come from? Is it sustainable?
Take a TOUR of our water system
by clicking in the numbered stops in order.
For this assignment you will be the
VIRTUAL TOUR GIUDE!
You will present information about our water system to the class.  After you choose which part of the tour you will present you must prepare a presentation with these parts:

A.  a SUMMARY of what your part of the water system does:

1. include an explanation of the problem(s) that it solves
2. how it solves the problem(s) 
3. an explanation of any technical terms, equipment, or chemicals involved

B. an ANALYSIS of the impact (good and bad) of that part of the water system on the sustainability sectors (environment, economy, society):

• choose 1 sector to write a complete paragraph about.  Include a main idea and 3 supporting details and examples.  Give a brief 1-2 sentence explanation for the other 2 sectors.
• IMPORTANT! For this section you need to use 2 sources outside of the www.abcwua website (no wikipedia, yahoo, ask.com, or other generic sites).  Cite your source by pasting the URL address into your document.
•   If you need help finding a good sources ask me for help!

1. Environment - how it affects the natural systems around us
2. Society - how it affects the health and happiness of groups of people
3. Economy - how it affects people's ability to get money or important resources

C. an Evaluation of the how sustainable this feature of the waters system is:

1. Identify 3 permaculture principles that apply to your part of the water system tour.
2. For each principle, describe how your part of the water system follows and/or violates the permaculture principle.
3. What is your opinion of the sustainability of this part of the water system?

Mr Sullivan's Example project Document

Peer Review of ABQ Water Tour

• Share your document with all members of another group; give them the status of "can comment".
• ***IMPORTANT!!! - Before you have your project reviewed, copy all of parts A, B, and C and paste them below your peer review
• Also paste the following peer review instructions into your document.

Name of student(s) whose project is being reviewed:

Name of student(s) who are reviewing the project:

1. Sentence quality: Highlight the best sentence in the project, and write “1 best sentence” in the comments.
2. Sentence improvement: Highlight the best sentence in the project, and write “2 needs improvement” in the comments and give them any suggestions you have on improving it.
3. Interesting fact/idea: Highlight the most interesting fact/idea and write “3 most interesting fact/idea” in the comments.
4. Sources: highlight each of the sources in part B, and make a comment on each if you think it was a good source and why/why not.  If sources are missing or you can’t find them, make a comment on part B to remind of what they are missing.
5. Best Permaculture Principle: In part C, highlight the best description of how a permaculture principle relates to their part of the water tour. Label the comment as before (with the number and section description).
6. Unclear Permaculture Principle: In part C, highlight the best description of how a permaculture principle relates to their part of the water tour.  Label the comment as before (with the number and section description) and explain what was unclear or ask a question.
7. Overall sustainability: Highlight part C-3 and explain whether you agree with their assessment or not.
8. Editing and Revising: Now go back to your document and make the suggested improvements on your own project ON THE COPY BELOW THE PEER REVIEW.  Keep the peer reviewed copy the same so I can see what you changed!

GIS Maps

Check out this website and see what you can find out about where we live:
NM arcGIS


View Larger Map

G.Lang.Arts- Cover Letter & Peer Reveiw

Now that you have written an interview between your characters, you need to write a cover letter.  This is a formal letter included with a resume, the expresses why you are giving the person or institution your resume.
Your cover letter should include at least three paragraphs:

1. What you are applying for and where you found the job posting - First Paragraph
2. What you have to offer - Middle Paragraph(s)
3. How you will follow-up - Final Paragraph 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ABOUT HOW TO WRITE EACH PARAGRAPH

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXAMPLE COVER LETTER.

Be sure to write it in such a way to make your character sound like a good fit for the job!

Interview & cover letter: Peer review

• Your group:
• Group reviewed:

VOCABULARY

A.   Were at least 3 vocabulary words from the “Importance/unimportance” list present and  used correctly?

B.   List words used in the cover letter and interview that could be upgraded to a more interesting and/or descriptive word?

                              1.     –

                              2.     –

                              3.     –

                              4.     –

                              5.     –

ARGUMENTS

A.   What was the groups best argument for their character getting the job? (Explain why it was good.)

B.   What arguments need to be improved? Were any parts missing?

·      Remember the three paragraphs for the cover letter:

1. What you are applying for and where you found the job posting - First Paragraph 
2. What you have to offer - Middle Paragraph(s)
3. Why you are interested in the job and how you will follow-up - Final Paragraph 

C.   If you were the employer, would you hire the character based on the qualifications presented? Explain why or why not?­

Gifted Language Arts

Character Sketch (click to veiw)

• Copy the contents of this document in to your own and follow directions (or you can select "FILE" and "download and a WORD DOCUMENT).  Save it on your student drive!
• You can also sign in to your google account, save a copy of the doc, and work on it online as a Google Doc.
• Complete the sections giving as much detail as you can remember.
• Use complete sentences
• Use descriptive words
• Explain things instead of just mentioning them

What is our BIOREGION?

We are trying to determine what size and shape our bioregion should be.

How big should it be? What should define it?

   

• Use the above factors to search for maps that include our area. Start with searching "ecoregion" and "watershed" and add the words "map" or "New Mexico" to any search to get more specific. You will notice that each map is a little different, so save a variety of them!

• Save the image files for these maps on your STUDENT DATA DRIVE.  
• Once you have map images for each category, start a PowerPoint presentation and insert these images into your slides.

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Computer Lab Research 10-24-13

You will need to write some information from your research today on paper (instructions about things you need to write down will appear in green).  The paper must be placed in the section for Seminar in the rings of your BINDER! Begin by putting a title, date, and name on the paper you will be using today.
We will begin today by learning about "Ecological Footprint." Read and examine the images below.  For more detailed information, also see this website: footprint network.org-overview

Part A: In a complete sentence or two, explain what it means that the United states is number two on this list.  What does this say about our country and the people in it?  Do you think (just guess) your footprint is higher or lower than the national average?

Now go to the ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR (click here).

Take the Eco-footprint quiz and find out your estimated Ecological footprint. 

***Do not close the tab with your quiz results until you are done with Part D, or you will have to do it over!***

The results will look like this:

**IMPORTANT STEP! Save a screen clipping of your quiz to your student drive.**

Part B: Write out and complete the following sentence: If everyone lived like me, we'd need ____ (fill in your score, for the above quiz it would be 4.5) Planet Earths to provide enough resources.

• Describe what this means to you.  
• How does it make you feel?  
• What questions come to your mind?  

On your quiz results, look at the bar chart on the bottom right.  It separates your footprint by the types of resources and shows how much of each you use.  For me, "Energy Land" is by far the highest, with almost five acres.  Look at your highest category, then click on "edit your footprint" to the right.  Try to make one change to your answer on the quiz that would make the biggest increase or decrease on that number.  

Part C: Describe what answer you changed on the quiz.  How much did it change your footprint? (example: I increased my air travel to the max and my footprint went from 4.5 to 5.6! or: I selected all local food and went from 4.5 to 4.2)

Click on the "explore scenarios button." Choose one or more options of everyday things you can change to lower your ecological footprint. Then answer the following questions.

Part D: Which "explore scenarios" option seems most achievable to you?  Would you be willing to change your lifestyle to lower your ecological footprint? Why or why not?

Now click on the following link to find the ENERCITIES game.

Click on the "play game" tab at the top and then select the British flag to play in English (Spanish is also available).  

Part E: Write down your score for these categories:

1. Overall Score:
2. Economy (Euro sign)
3. Environment (tree)
4. Wellbeing (smiley)
5. Victory points (star)

Multi-media Dialogues

You have created a dialogue and recreated it using video, picture, audio, etc. 
Here are the things you need to do:

• Put your RUBRIC into your project and make sure you fill out the two sections for yourself
• you can copy my rubric by clicking on MY SLIDESHOW, downloading it, and copying the chart into your slide.
• Your DIALOGUE must be included in your slideshow. If you recorded it in a video or comic and it is easy to understand, that is enough.  If you do not have a recording of it, please include your dialogue in your slideshow.
• to find your ipad files, go to dropbox.com and sign in just like we did on the ipads.
• Add ANY OTHER CREATIVE WORK, movie trailers, or other artistic additions you made with the iPads, ESPECIALLY IF IT RELATES TO YOUR TOPIC!

Perspectives in Controversy

Perspectives inControversy:

Finding different viewpoints on your topic

What issues or questions related to your

topic do large groups of people disagree

about? (include key words for each)

Rate each category 1-5

Controversy slide 1: (click for example)

¡How much do your genes influence your brain? (genetic change, brain development)

úA: 3   B: 2   C: 3   D: 4  total: 12

¡Is brain improvement technology a good idea? (artificial brain enhancement, ethics, memory wiping)

úA: 4   B: 5   C: 5   D: 3  TOTAL: 17

¡Is curiosity beneficial (helpful) or detrimental (harmful) to people? (evolution of curiosity, curious dangers, advantages, survival)
 A: 3   B: 3   C: 3   D: 3  total: 12

Topic evaluation Categories:

A. Good information available

B. Controversy is clear (conflicting arguments exist)

C. Your interest in/opinion about the question

D. Balance and focused (not to general or specific)

Next, choose your best question according to you ratings.  

CONTROVERSY SLIDE 2: (click for example)

Can you find good information given by both sides of your chosen issue? Use your keywords to find sources of information. If you can't find sources or arguments on two sides of the question, then you need to ask for help and/or choose a different question.

The following is what you need in your next slide:

¨Brain Chip controversy

¨http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/02/why-cognitive-enhancement-is-in-your-future-and-your-past/252566/

¨http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/403761/implanting-hope/page/2/

¨http://www.lokitimes.com/category/pros-cons/

¨Pro (for it) side:

¡http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/2008/06/intelligence-enhancement/

¨Con (against it) side: http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2005_Groups/03/controversy.htm

¡http://www.theageoftransitions.com/index.php/oldies/84-implantable-brain-chip-history-lesson

Controversy Slide 3
Research Analysis[your question goes here]
RELEVANCE: How does this source relate to the question?
ARGUMENTS: What arguments for or against the question are given or implied by the article?
RELIABILITY: What person or group created this source?
úDoes the source seem reliable and the information seem to be good quality? (rate it 1-5)
úWHY?  (explain the reasons for your rating)

Peer Review

Now is your chance to help eachother make your projects even better! 

• Partner up with a classmate and show them your project, then complete the "Peer Review Slide" as show below.  
• Use complete sentences and be specific!
• Then have your partner show you his/her project and they will do the same thing.
• You are required to do this with at least one classmate, but you can always do more for extra points.

Here is the text for easy pasting:

Peer Review: Working together

Name of your peer reviewer: __________

• What part of your project did your peer think you did the best on?
• What part did they think you needed to  improve?
• How did they help you make your project better?

Key words and Vocabulary for your project

 go to MY CURIOSITY SLIDESHOW
then select FILE and DOWNLOAD to use my template

• Use the Etymology Dictionary to help with the botom left section.
• Use a Dictionary website to help with Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and rhyming words.

Preparing for Evaluation

On Thursday and Friday I will be checking your projects for completion and Quality for your progress report grades.  
Here is a list of what you need to have done (minimum):

• Phase I: Book
• Title and Author of book, plus three questions
• Information relating to at least one of those questions
• Phase II: Internet research
• 3 new questions
• 2 information slides with website address, quoted information, and reflections in your own words
• Phase III: Analysis Questions
• 3 analysis questions using 3 of the forms
• Information- answer one question using an Idea web (or concept map)
• Phase IV: Inferring and Elaborating
• 3 questions from 3 different forms (about website)
• 1 information slide with website address, quoted information, and reflections in your own words

Once you have completed that, see what you can add with creativity and research.  Here are some ideas:

• create a wordcloud or tagxedo (see mine on the right)
• Look for informations about one of your questions you haven't gotten to yet.
• Use online art tools:
• Pixon Comic Maker 
• Make your own Dinosaur Comic 



• Ze Frank's Scribbler 

Phase III-IV (that's 3-4 for you non-Romans)

Thursday, Jan. 31 - Friday, Feb. 1
REQUIRED ELEMENTS

• PHASE III Analysis: Idea Web/Mind Map - last week you started by asking at least 3 questions from 3 different forms for ANALYSIS questions.
•  Create an Idea Web in one of two formats (or both if you are super into it):
• Using the "SmartArt Graphics" feature in PowerPoint, select one of the HIERARCHY templates.
• OR you can go to www.mindmeister.com and sign up with your email (if you have one and are allowed to use it by your parents).  Create a Mind Map, then turn it into a picture file that you insert into your power point.  
• If additional research is needed to fill out your map, please do so.
• Phase IV: Inferring and Elaborating Questions - These questions will help you dig deeper as you find quality information.
• Go to one or more of the following websites to find your information this time:
• Stuff you should Know (science and other random things)
• How stuff works (just like it sounds)
• Wired Magazine online (technology and culture)
• National Geographic online (Nature and culture)
• Studio 360 (art, culture, science)
• Skeptic Magazine (serious look at extraordinary things) 
• If you can't find anything on these sites or you want to use something different, MAKE SURE YOU ASK ME FIRST!
• FIRST, choose an article or podcast relating to your topic and read/listen to the first paragraph/minute of it.
• ASK THREE QUESTIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING FORMS (on your first phase IV slide:
• Inferring
• What might we infer from _______?
• What conclusions might be drawn from _______?
• Elaborating -
• What ideas/details can you add to _______?
• Give an example of _______.

CURIOSITY PROJECT - START HERE

To start your project please do the following:

• Find a book (or two) from the library related to a topic you are curious about
• Write down 3 questions that you hope the book(s) will answer
• Start a power point project and save it as "YOURNAMEcuriosity" and save it on your student data account (find it under the COMPUTER section).
• on a new slide, 
• type the title of the book and the author
• Write your 3 questions about your subject. Be sure to include a How or Why question.

Tuesday Jan. 22 - Thursday Jan. 24

• Make 3 question and information Slides for Phase I (questions and info for the book you chose)
• Complete phase II
• Ask 3 new questions on a new slide (related to information you found in phase I but you can go any direction from there)
• Phase II information: Make 2 different slides (at least) including these 3 things:
• Address to website you got some interesting information from
• A small selection of pasted information from the site (be sure to use "quotes")
• Comments in your own words about specific things you learned and/or you opinion of the web site.
• Phase III: Analysis Questions
• new and improved questions using 3 of the following patterns of questioning:
• Comparing -
• How is _____ similar to/different from_______?
• Identifying Attributes and Components -
• What are the characteristics/parts of _______?
• Classifying -
• How might we organize _______ into categories_______?
• Ordering -
• How can _____ Arrange into sequence (according to _______)?
• Keep in mind that you will be required to go beyond the basic requirements to get an A
• Use extra time to find more information to include in your presentation and to make your presentation more impressive!

Other Project resources:

• Mr.Sullivan's Curiosity Presentation (click below to view my example presentation):

• My concept map of the topic (below):

Create your own mind maps at MindMeister